Two federal agencies took action in U.S. District Court Jan. 15 to stop an Alpharetta company and its owner, a Dawsonville resident, from continuing an alleged $25 million Ponzi scheme involving more than 100 people.
Alpharetta-based CRE Capital Corp. and James G. Ossie allegedly ran a Ponzi scheme, using money from newer investors to pay older investors to guarantee returns. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed separate civil complaints against CRE and Ossie.
According to court documents, since early 2008 the company and Ossie raised at least $25 million from more than 120 owners promising to invest the money in Japanese currency exchange markets.
The complaint alleges that since June 18, 2008, rather than making money, CRM and Ossie — the company's president and sole owner — lost approximately $4.4 million trading. To cover up the gaffe, CFTC claims Ossie and CRE operated a Ponzi scheme.
CRE offered trading contracts that promised a guaranteed 10 percent return in 30 days, according to the complaint.
"Investors must run the other way when approached by anyone claiming to guarantee exorbitant monthly returns, like those promised by CRE and Ossie," said CFTC Acting Director of Enforcement Stephen J. Obie.
In its complaint, the SEC also alleged that CRE planned a $100 million stock offering early this year, selling shares at $2 per share, while claiming the stock were worth $40 to $45 per share according to an independent analyst's estimates. The complaint alleges that these projections were misleading because CRE was insolvent.
The day the complaints were filed, Ossie and CRM consented to an order granting the SEC's requests for a temporary restraining order, an asset freeze, an accounting of all funds raised, the appointment of a receiver for defendant CRE and an order expediting discovery and preventing the destruction of documents.
The complaint also seeks preliminary and permanent injunctions against future violations, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains plus interest and civil penalties.
The CFTC seeks restitution, disgorgement, civil monetary penalties and permanent injunctions against further violations of the federal commodities laws and against further trading.
Ossie was not available for comment.
What is a Ponzi scheme?
According to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) , a "Ponzi" scheme is one in which little or none of the money sent in by investors is ever invested as promised in the commodity markets. It is named after Charles Ponzi, its inventor, and also called a pyramid scheme because of its structure.
The operator of the scam steals the funds and creates the illusion of a successful business by using some of the money put in by later investors to pay phony "profits" to earlier ones. This tactic makes it appear to victims that their investment is actually making money, which in turn attracts additional people.
- www.northfulton.com
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Alpharetta firm named in $25M Ponzi scheme
Monday, January 19, 2009
Dave Matthews Band coming to Alpharetta's Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Dave Matthews Band will perform live at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, located just off Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for two nights on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m., along with special guests The Avett Brothers.
2009 season sponsors include: Verizon Wireless, Bud Light, AirTran Airways, Georgia Natural Gas, and Belvedere.
The band's yet-to-be-titled album is being produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and will be released by RCA Records. The record is the follow-up to 2005's Stand Up, the fourth consecutive Dave Matthews Band studio album to enter The Billboard 200 at No. 1.
Formed in Virginia in the early 1990's, Dave Matthews Band has sold a collective 35 million units (CD and DVD combined). With more than 15 million tickets sold, the group has been named the top-drawing American band in the world by Billboard.
"Their set delivered the goods at Rothbury, and few would argue they didn't make the festival their own," said The Detroit News of Dave Matthews Band's headlining performance at last summer's first-ever Rothbury festival. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praised the group's show there as "nothing short of inspired and inspiring" while The Oklahoman said: "this is a band that stretches out and thrives in the open air and under the stars." "Mr. Matthews' trade is to stir up a mélange of approaches – from rock and folksy pop to bluegrass and smooth jazz – to make doubt positive, make loss again, and make depression a celebration," observed The Dallas Morning News.
Dave Matthews Band is Carter Beauford (drums), Stefan Lessard (bass), Dave Matthews (vocals, guitar) and Boyd Tinsley (violin). Saxophonist LeRoi Moore, the fifth original founding member, passed away during the band's summer 2008 tour. Joining the group on the road this spring will be Tim Reynolds on guitar, Rashawn Ross on trumpet and Jeff Coffin on saxophone. They are also featured on the new album.
- www.northfulton.com
Friday, January 16, 2009
Alpharetta's Metro Ballet hosts auditions for national companies
Ten of the most prestigious ballet companies and schools in the United States will hold auditions for their 2009 summer intensive programs at Metropolitan Ballet Theatre in Alpharetta in January and February.
Included are Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theater, San Francisco Ballet, Kirov, Washington Ballet, Kaatsbaan, North Carolina School of the Arts, Nashville Ballet, Alabama Ballet, and Montgomery Ballet, in addition to MBT.
Auditions are open to all serious dance students. National companies typically audition in several major U.S. cities, choosing the most promising dancers for their highly selective summer programs.
Metropolitan Ballet, directed by prima ballerina Maniya Barredo, is located at 11460 Maxwell Rd, Alpharetta.
For specific audition dates and times, visit www.metropolitanballet.org.
- www.northfulton.com
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Youth killed in Alpharetta police chase
A juvenile boy is dead and his two teen cohorts are in stable condition at North Fulton Regional Hospital after they crashed on North Point Parkway Jan. 14 while being chased by police for a string of alleged armed robberies.
According to Alpharetta and Roswell authorities, the young boy, believed to be between 12 and 15 years old, has not been identified. Police said the two suspects with him at the time of the crash, 19-year-old Montreal D. Gray and 17-year-old Jaree D. Beatles, both of Decatur, have not been cooperative at all with investigators, who are searching for the boy's family.
The three were being chased for their alleged involvement in a string of armed robberies in Roswell apartment complexes that night, police said, and were darting in and out of traffic when Gray lost control of the stolen Toyota Camry they were driving. No one was wearing their seat belt according to preliminary investigations, said Alpharetta police.
The car flipped on North Point Parkway near the Cypress Point apartments, and Gray allegedly immediately began fighting with police, despite the fact Beatles was seriously injured and the boy lay dead in the back seat, said investigators. Officers reportedly found a number of items stolen in the earlier crimes in the vehicle.
"It's absolutely heartbreaking that a young man had to die because of these senseless acts," said Alpharetta police spokesman Officer George Gordon. "The crash scene was absolutely horrific."
Lt. James McGee, a spokesman with Roswell police, said his officers initially got the call at about 10 p.m. that a 26-year-old female had been beaten and robbed at the Rosemont apartments off Ga. 9 south of Hembree Road. The victim said she had pulled up with her two children to pick up her mail when three men walked up to her car.
One hit her in the back with his forearm, knocking her to the ground, she said, while another stood over her with his hands in his pockets. They never displayed a weapon, said McGee, but demanded money and took her purse — all in front of her two young children. The three suspects drove off in a dark Toyota after trying to break into another car, said the victim.
"You can imagine how traumatic that was," said McGee.
While Roswell investigators were on scene, another armed robbery was called in at the Eagles Crest apartments, off Mansell Road near its intersection with Ga. 9. This time a 37-year-old man was beaten and robbed by two men who showed a gun. They also drove off in what was described as a dark Toyota Camry.
"We surmise the other suspect stayed in the car for that one," said McGee.
McGee said an undercover officer was in the area due to recent car break-ins, so he immediately spotted the dark gray Toyota Camry and began tailing the car. A check of the tags showed it was stolen from Decatur in a carjacking incident Jan. 9, said authorities.
At some point, the suspects realized they were being tailed, because they began driving erratically and pulling in and out of businesses to lose the officer, said Gordon.
Gordon said Alpharetta police were listening in to the radio calls for help, and joined in at 10:20 p.m. They caught up with the chase at the Toys-R-Us on North Point Parkway, and it wasn't long before the car had flipped and both departments were left to deal with the tragedy and many unanswered questions.
"It's one of those things," said McGee. "You think of kids stealing apples, but now they've graduated to murder. It's a sign of the times."
Gordon said the medical examiner has the unknown boy's fingerprints and is searching for his identity. He was not related to the suspects, he added, because both Gray and Beatles' parents said they did not know the youth. No one has reported a missing child to either department, Gordon said.
"We're pulling out all the stops on this [to find his identity]," said Gordon.
Both Gordon and McGee expressed shock that someone so young might be involved in the string of crimes that lead to his ultimate fate.
"It's fair to say as a passenger of the car he knew what was occurring," said Gordon.
Both departments will consult with the Fulton County District Attorney's Office to formulate charges for Gray and Beatles, but both McGee and Gordon mentioned armed robbery, fleeing and eluding police and possibly vehicular manslaughter.
- www.northfulton.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Young skaters take to ice in Alpharetta
A group of 12-year-olds will be smashing their sticks around this weekend as the Atlanta Freedom Cup 2009 Peewee Hockey Festival comes to The Cooler in Alpharetta.
Fourteen teams have signed up to participate from as far away as Tennessee, Florida, North and South Carolina, and as close as Duluth and Alpharetta.
"What we are trying to do is make Atlanta a hockey destination," said Gina Bennett, tournament director.
Most tournaments have several age groups, pitting only four teams against each other in each category.
Bennett said sticking to one age group creates more competition and excitement.
"We are trying to make it a public event as well," she said, inviting local families to watch the action.
The tournament starts with an All-Star Peewee Skills Competition on the ice at Philips Arena at 1 p.m. Friday.
The Atlanta Thrashers are sponsoring this event and offering discount tickets for that night's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Visit http://atlfreedomcup.com for details.
Play begins in earnest Saturday morning, with games starting as early as 6:45 a.m. and as late as 5:30 p.m.
Sunday morning begins the same, with seeds set for the afternoon games.
On Monday the championships will be held at 9:15 and 11:45 a.m., with award ceremonies following each game.
Bennett said hockey families spend a lot of money sending children to Detroit, Chicago and other places.
"But we have some pretty good hockey here," she said. "People are generally surprised that we tend to whomp some people ... It would be nice if the traveling was reciprocal, and get more of those teams to enjoy what Atlanta has to offer."
Discount hotel rates were established for visiting teams. She said the tournament fees were designed to offer a lot, with a four-game guarantee and scheduling to make sure local teams don't play each other for every game, and that visiting teams from each state have the chance for some new competition also.
"Our goal next year is to have 32 teams for this tournament," Bennett said.
At the end of the day, that will mean more children playing hockey here, so parents don't have to travel as much, either.
"I don't think that's an unreasonable goal or an unreachable goal," she said.
Public skates are available throughout the weekend, with morning and afternoon skates on Friday and Saturday for $7, with a $3 skate rental fee if you don't have your own.
Public skating also is open from late Friday and Saturday, and from 2-5 p.m. Sunday.
The cost is $7 or $8, with a $3 skate rental fee.
Vendors will set up to offer face painting and silent auction items will be sold.
A photographer will take pictures at the games, with proceeds benefitting the Atlanta Fire Peewee Major AA team, which won the right to participate in the annual Quebec International Peewee Hockey Festival, an 11-day tournament that draws 2,300 players from 16 countries.
- www.northfulton.com
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Alpharetta police seize $500K in heroin
Alpharetta police seized a kilogram of heroin Jan. 2 with a street value of $500,000 from a home on Kilmington Court and charged its suspected owner with trafficking narcotics after a package allegedly containing drugs was mailed to the residence, announced authorities.
The suspect, Nima Naderpour, 36, is being held in Fulton County Jail without bond.
"The package, which originated in India, had his name and address on it," said George Gordon, a spokesman for the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. "It of course was flagged by Immigration and Customs Enforcement when it entered the US."
Gordon said federal authorities contacted police about the package Dec. 29. Surveillance was set up on the Briargate town home community address marked on the package and a postal inspector delivered it Jan. 2.
"A relative was at the house at the delivery," Gordon said. "He must have been waiting on the package, because a short time later Naderpour drives up in the BMW."
Alpharetta police tailed Naderpour afterwards, Gordon said.
He was pulled over on Maxwell Road for speeding. The BMW had been taken from the dealership where he worked. During the investigation, police said they allegedly found a wrapper containing the remnants of drugs. A report filed by Milton police due to the use of that department's K-9 unit, DaSilva, showed the animal alerted officers to the presence of alleged narcotics near the driver side door, but none were found.
"He had the outer wrapper of the package that had his name and address on it in his pants pocket," said Gordon. "Our estimation was he was checking for the authenticity of the drugs."
A federal warrant was issued and Naderpour's town home searched. Gordon said police found the kilogram of heroin under a sink in a bathroom.
Federal charges are pending, said Gordon.
- www.northfulton.com
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Alpharetta PD arrests three for alleged ID theft ring
Alpharetta police cracked the largest identity theft ring in the city's history, they announced Dec. 22.
Arrested were three Russian immigrants who moved to Alpharetta from Los Angeles, said George Gordon, a spokesman for the department.
A fourth suspect is still at large. None of their identities have been released. A press conference is set for 11 a.m. Dec. 23.
Gordon said the arrests were the culmination of a two-month investigation focusing on the suspects. Investigators raided the men's Alara apartment Dec. 10 and seized nearly $11,000 of heroin, more than $50,000 in cash and the implements to allegedly mastermind an identity theft ring valued near $200,000.
The source of all the information was an employee of a BP gas station, said Gordon. He'd set up a fake card reader to scam patrons.
It was one of the many devices seized by investigators, including hundreds of fake credit and debit cards, skimmer reading devices, remote cameras and card reader clones.
Additionally, hundreds of documents from illegal purchases including "coded" books containing victim's card numbers with attached PIN numbers were confiscated. Alpharetta authorities also seized $51,000 in cash, high grade heroin with a street value of $10,500, bank statements indicating deposits into the tens of thousands of dollars, recorded video images of the suspects committing fraud as well as identifying clothing seen on surveillance video of targeted businesses.
The three suspects were booked into the Fulton County Jail. Indictments are being obtained by detectives and numerous felony and misdemeanor charges are pending.
- www.northfulton.com
Friday, December 19, 2008
New Alpharetta City Hall could open in 2011
A new city hall with parking garage and town green may be built and open in Alpharetta by 2011 in a project expected to cost $21 million.
City Council on Monday night approved another $30,000 for Pieper O'Brien Herr, architects for the project, as it moves the project forward slowly in small phases.
Richard Kramer of Pieper O'Brien Herr submitted a letter outlining what his company would do. First, they will meet with Solomon Holdings, the commercial developers for the mixed-use center. Three-dimensional models of the conceptual plan will be presented, along with a cost estimate.
Christopher Jones, economic development director for the city, said the City Center has been evolving since June 2004.
Originally, City Council and staff planned for a mixed-use retail/office/residential phase to be built as phase one, with a new city hall as part of a second phase. But problems delayed any work beyond designs being completed.
A successful lawsuit challenging the use of property tax funds designated for schools eliminated at least half of the potential money for the project.
Additional delays came as the first project developer, Barry Real Estate, failed to acquire control of several properties included in its design. A second round of design bids brought The Solomon Group to the table, which also failed to reach terms with those property owners on the south side of city property.
"By utilizing property that is already owned by the city, or under contract by the city, we are able to move forward with a realistic and achievable time frame for completion," said Jones.
The city will save around $150,000 per year on leases for departments that can't fit in City Hall. The Finance department is in the Met Life Building near Haynes Bridge Road and Westside Parkway. Community Development employees are in offices leased from a South Main Street shopping center.
"We've already spent over a million dollars in these leases," Jones said.
He said the City Hall project will serve as a catalyst for new investment in the city.
But the question must be posed: In tough economic times, why build a new City Hall?
Jones said in addition to the lease savings, the current building has been outdated and inefficient for the day-to-day operations for many years. It is more cost effective and efficient for residents of Alpharetta to utilize the services at one location.
Alpharetta could fund the approximately $21 million project with a bond referendum that might be presented in 2009 or with a Certificate of Participation with the Georgia Municipal Association.
Much more than just City Hall is planned for this project, phase one of the overall City Center project. A parking deck with 750 spaces, plus another 100 parking spaces, will be part of this first phase. The top of the parking deck will be green space designed to be like a park.
"Because of the topography sloping so much, that park will feel like a natural component of the land, just natural green space when you walk out of City Hall," Jones said.
Road work and property acquisition also will be completed, which is necessary for the second phase expected to include retail, office and residential property. The parking will support City Hall plus downtown business.
- www.northfulton.com
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Dreams come true with 'Shop With a Cop' in Milton
Alpharetta's Police Athletic League (PAL) held the 10th annual Shop With a Cop Dec. 10 at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Windward Parkway.
According to PAL CEO Jim Little, 76 children participated in the yearly event, which pairs kids with more than 100 police, firefighter and citizen volunteers to help bring holiday wishes to life.
The holiday program is for children whose families are unable to spend much, if anything, on holiday gifts, said Alpharetta police officer Jennifer Howard.
"The program was initially started as a way for police officers and firefighters to give back to the children in our community. It is exciting to see all the smiles and spend some time with these very special kids," said Little.
Many of the parents whose children participate in the program are single or have been forced to deal with major health issues or lost their jobs, said Howard.
"These are people who, due to life events, are having trouble financially," she said. "The parents I spoke with were so grateful for this program. I saw some of them literally moved to tears."
For the second year in a row, Milton's Public Safety Department pitched in as well.
"I invited them because tonight is about the kids," said Little.
Each child - chosen by police working with school counselors and social workers - was given $100 to buy anything he or she wanted.
PAL spent almost $8,000 to help make this year's holiday dreams come true. The Wal-Mart Foundation donated $2,500 and the Alpharetta Rotary Club donated $2,000. Generous, individual donors from the North Fulton Community made up the rest, said Howard.
All the money raised for event was spent by those children, said Little. And the coolest part, he said, is that most of the children buy gifts for others with their funds.
"A lot of times they're not even thinking about themselves," he said.
Alpharetta firefighter Brad Pryor concurred. He was deeply moved by the children's wishes.
"The first child we had wanted to get something for his brother. He was more concerned about that than himself," said Pryor. "When you see that unselfishness, it's nice. It's just good to see, especially in young kids."
Pryor and several other firefighters helped Christopher Strong, a student who attends Northwood Middle School, pick out a bicycle.
"We asked him, 'If you could have anything in here, what would it be?'" said Alpharetta Fire Captain Wes McCall. "He said, 'I'd like to have a bike to ride with my friends.'"
The bicycle was more than the allotted $100 per child, so several firefighters reached into their pockets and made up the difference.
His mom, a single mother of six, was stunned when she saw her son walk up with a new bicycle, said Howard.
"We are very fortunate," the mother said. "I thank all of you so much."
- www.northfulton.com
Alpharetta man pleads guilty in construction fraud scheme
Edgar J. Beaudreault, 60, of Alpharetta, pleaded guilty today in federal district court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his part in a scheme to defraud a California construction firm of nearly $13 million.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Sally QuillianYates and the information presented in court, the scheme ran from August 2003 through January 2004. Beaudreault and his co-defendants had been indicted for conspiring to defraud Cornell Corrections of California Inc., a private company that operates corrections facilities for various governmental units.
In June of 2003, Cornell Corrections contracted to have a corrections facility built in Canon City, Colo., for $13 million. The $13 million purchase price was to be held in an escrow account until the facility was completed. Two months later, Beaudreault and his codefendants induced Cornell Corrections to transfer its $13 million into an account in Atlanta controlled by Beaudreault. They falsely represented to Cornell that the account was an escrow account administered by a reputable bank.
Upon receipt of Cornell Corrections' $13 million, Beaudreault and his co-defendants wire transferred the majority of Cornell's $13 million to other accounts, to be used for their own purposes.
Beaudreault was indicted in August 2008 on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentence, the court will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 18, 2009, before U.S. District Judge Clarence Cooper.
This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bernita Malloy and David McClernan are prosecuting the case.
- www.northfulton.com
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Dave Matthews Band coming to Alpharetta
The Dave Matthews Band announced on its Web site that Alpharetta and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre will be one of the stops on its 17-city tour this spring. According to www.davematthewsband.com, the band will perform here on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29.
The Avett Brothers (http://theavettbrothers.com) are scheduled as the opening act for the concerts, which begin at 7:30 p.m.
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre has not confirmed 2009 concert dates yet.
Tickets can be ordered beginning Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. through www.vzwamp.com and public ticket venues such as Ticketmaster. As of today, members of The Warehouse, a fan membership site operated for the band, can buy tickets already. Visit the band's Web site for information.
One complimentary regular parking ticket will be distributed per order. See www.vzwamp.com for parking details.
On April 14th, Dave Matthews Band returns with its first studio album in four years – and they'll celebrate with a show at New York City's Madison Square Garden that evening. The MSG show will be followed by 16 additional US spring dates, including a stop at the 40th Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 26, 2008. Along the way, Dave Matthews Band fans will be treated to the group's first-ever live performances of songs from the new yet-to-be titled album. Joining the group on the road this spring will be Tim Reynolds on guitar, Rashawn Ross on trumpet and Jeff Coffin on saxophone.
- www.northfulton.com
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
PHOTO GALLERY: The Travelers open new facility in Alpharetta
The Travelers Companies combined its Alpharetta and Duluth offices into one new facility on Windward Concourse in Alpharetta, bringing 900 employees together in one location. Click here to view the rest of the gallery.
Debt-free series offered in Alpharetta
A free preview of syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University will be offered at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 5-6 p.m.
The 13-week lessons on getting out of debt will begin via a video series Sunday, Jan. 11, at 5 p.m.
Ramsey has taught his principles to millions via radio, books, through Financial Peace University, at live events and online. More than 500,000 families have completed Ramsey's course. On average, they pay off $5,300 in debt and save $2,700 in 13 weeks.
His program teaches participants to "get out of debt the same way you learned to walk, one step at a time."
Among the course topics are saving, cash flow planning, credit and spending pitfalls, mutual funds, real estate and mortgages, and more. To learn more about FPU, log onto www.daveramsey.com. For more information about the upcoming event, contact Mary Ann Gilbert at 770-475-5576 or magilbert@afumc.org.
Alpharetta First United Methodist Church is in downtown Alpharetta, at 69 N. Main Street. For more information or to register, contact the church office at 770-475-5576.
- www.northfulton.com
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Courteous robber knocks over two banks in North Fulton
Alpharetta and Johns Creek police are on the look out for a suspect who has robbed two banks in those cities in less than a week.
Amazingly, Alpharetta police reported in the Dec. 5 robbery at the Ironstone Bank on Old Milton Parkway the suspect made a big show of opening a business account with the branch's manager prior to the crime, and even stopped to thank him after taking nearly $3,000 from a teller.
As in that earlier crime, the Dec. 9 robbery at the Keyworth bank on Medlock Bridge in Johns Creek was characterized by the suspect claiming to have explosives.
Johns Creek police Capt. Brain Weaver said the suspect entered the bank at 12:30 p.m. and asked for directions while apparently scouting the building.
He filled out a deposit slip and handed it to the teller. It reportedly said "bomb."
He asked for money in $50 and $100 bills.
After receiving around $3,000, the suspect walked out without incident.
According to the incident report, in the Dec. 5 robbery the suspect walked into the bank and asked about opening an account. He spoke with the branch manager about the matter, promising a $20,000 wire transfer in a few weeks. He even took one of the manager's business cards.
After the meeting, the suspect walked up to a teller and handed him a note written on stationary from another bank that said "Give me your money." The teller said the man kept "telling him he had explosives on him and an accomplice outside watching every move."
The teller handed the man nearly $3,000 in $20 bills. The man left, shaking the scared bank employee's hand and thanking the manager on his way out.
Investigators reported the each bank's security cameras were able to record good images of the man.
- www.northfulton.com
PHOTO GALLERY: 'Shop With a Cop' in Alpharetta
Alpharetta's Police Athletic League held the 10th annual Shop With a Cop Dec. 10 at the Wal-Mart on Windward Parkway. According to PAL CEO Jim Little, 76 children participated in the yearly event, which pairs kids with more than 100 police, firefighter and citizen volunteers to help bring holiday wishes to life. For the second year in a row, Milton's Public Safety department pitched in as well. “I invited them because tonight is about the kids,” said Little. Each child -- chosen by police working with school counselors and social workers -- was given $100 to buy anything he or she wanted. All the money raised for event was spent by those children, said Little. And the coolest part, said Little, is that most of the children buy gifts for others with their funds. “A lot of times they're not even thinking about themselves.”
- www.northfulton.com
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Friendly robber knocks over Ironstone Bank in Alpharetta
The Ironstone Bank on Old Milton Parkway was robbed Dec. 5 by a man claiming to have explosives and an accomplice, said police.
Perhaps most intriguing, the suspect made a big show of opening a business account with the branch’s manager prior to the crime, and even stopped to shake a teller's hand and thank the manager after taking nearly $3,000.
According to the incident report, the suspect walked into the bank and asked about opening an account. He spoke with the branch manager about the affair, promising a $20,000 wire transfer in about 2-3 weeks. He even took one of the manager’s business cards.
After the meeting, the suspect walked up to a teller and handed him a note that said "give me your money" written on stationary from another bank. The teller said the man kept, “telling him he had explosives on him and an accomplice outside watching every move.”
The teller handed the man nearly $3,000 in $20 bills. The man left, shaking his hand and thanking the manager.
Investigators reported the bank’s security cameras were able to record good images of the suspect.
- www.northfulton.com
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Alpharetta firefighter charged with child pornography
A seven-year veteran with Alpharetta's fire department has been arrested and charged with six counts of child pornography, authorities said.
George Gordon, a spokesman with the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, said the accused, Fire Services Captain Tristen Cruz, turned himself in at the Gwinnett County Jail Dec. 4. He has been charged by the GBI with six counts of sexual exploration of a child.
Cruz is an Alpharetta resident, having recently moved into the Alta Park apartments from Gwinnett County. According to his page on public safety networking site firefighternation.com, he is a 19-year fire fighting veteran who served in New Mexico before coming to Georgia. He has also worked with Rural Metro Ambulance and Grady Emergency services, according to his Web page.
Gordon said Alpharetta and the GBI have been working on the case for several weeks. Cruz was placed on administrative leave with pay during the investigation.
- www.northfulton.com
